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Shen J, Sun H, Chu J, Gong X, Liu X. Cervicovaginal microbiota: a promising direction for prevention and treatment in cervical cancer. Infect Agent Cancer 2024; 19:13. [PMID: 38641803 PMCID: PMC11027553 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-024-00573-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is a common malignancy in women, with high incidence rate and mortality. Persistent infection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. Cervicovaginal microbiota (CVM) plays an essential role in the defense of HPV infections and prevention of subsequent lesions. Dominance of Lactobacillus is the key of CVM homeostasis, which can be regulated by host, exogenous and endogenous factors. Dysbiosis of CVM, including altered microbial, metabolic, and immune signatures, can contribute to persist HPV infection, leading to cervical cancer. However, there is no evidence of the causality between CVM and cervical cancer, and the underlying mechanism remains unexplored. Considering the close correlation between CVM dysbiosis and persistent HPV infection, this review will overview CVM, its role in cervical cancer development and related mechanisms, and the prospects for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Shen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), 200003, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), 200003, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Chu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), 200003, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaodi Gong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), 200003, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaojun Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), 200003, Shanghai, China.
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Alseth EO, Custodio R, Sundius SA, Kuske RA, Brown SP, Westra ER. The impact of phage and phage resistance on microbial community dynamics. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002346. [PMID: 38648198 PMCID: PMC11034675 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Where there are bacteria, there will be bacteriophages. These viruses are known to be important players in shaping the wider microbial community in which they are embedded, with potential implications for human health. On the other hand, bacteria possess a range of distinct immune mechanisms that provide protection against bacteriophages, including the mutation or complete loss of the phage receptor, and CRISPR-Cas adaptive immunity. While our previous work showed how a microbial community may impact phage resistance evolution, little is known about the inverse, namely how interactions between phages and these different phage resistance mechanisms affect the wider microbial community in which they are embedded. Here, we conducted a 10-day, fully factorial evolution experiment to examine how phage impact the structure and dynamics of an artificial four-species bacterial community that includes either Pseudomonas aeruginosa wild-type or an isogenic mutant unable to evolve phage resistance through CRISPR-Cas. Additionally, we used mathematical modelling to explore the ecological interactions underlying full community behaviour, as well as to identify general principles governing the impacts of phage on community dynamics. Our results show that the microbial community structure is drastically altered by the addition of phage, with Acinetobacter baumannii becoming the dominant species and P. aeruginosa being driven nearly extinct, whereas P. aeruginosa outcompetes the other species in the absence of phage. Moreover, we find that a P. aeruginosa strain with the ability to evolve CRISPR-based resistance generally does better when in the presence of A. baumannii, but that this benefit is largely lost over time as phage is driven extinct. Finally, we show that pairwise data alone is insufficient when modelling our microbial community, both with and without phage, highlighting the importance of higher order interactions in governing multispecies dynamics in complex communities. Combined, our data clearly illustrate how phage targeting a dominant species allows for the competitive release of the strongest competitor while also contributing to community diversity maintenance and potentially preventing the reinvasion of the target species, and underline the importance of mapping community composition before therapeutically applying phage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellinor O. Alseth
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rafael Custodio
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah A. Sundius
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- School of Math, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Program in Quantitative Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rachel A. Kuske
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- School of Math, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Sam P. Brown
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Edze R. Westra
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
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N K, C A, P L, Bm L. Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis and Its Association With Preterm Birth in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus 2024; 16:e57502. [PMID: 38707164 PMCID: PMC11066814 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The most common preventive cause of premature labour is ascending infections. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and preterm labour in antenatal women and determine the significance of using the Amsel criteria to screen for BV. Methods This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted among 100 antenatal mothers in the second trimester attending the antenatal OPD at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai from October 2019 to September 2021 after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethics committee and written informed consent from the study participants. Data were entered in Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA) and analysed in SPSS (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results According to the Amsel criteria, BV was detected in 21 women (21%). Neither maternal age nor parity had an effect on the study group. There was a statistically significant relationship (p < 0.05) between the mode of delivery, preterm labour, and the study group. Of the 21 positive BV cases, 95% were positive for clue cells and only 5% were positive for gram-negative bacteria. Consequently, BV was found to be associated with early labour. There is no association between BMI and BV (p > 0.005). Conclusion In the current study, BV was shown to be associated with preterm labour. Our study underscores the significance of the Amsel criteria as a valuable tool for screening BV in antenatal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalpana N
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tagore Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, IND
| | - Amirtha C
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vinayaka Missions Medical College and Hospital, Karaikal, IND
| | - Lavoanya P
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, IND
| | - Logeswari Bm
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, IND
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Bhatia Z, Kumar S, Seshadri S. Composition and interaction of maternal microbiota with immune mediators during pregnancy and their outcome: A narrative review. Life Sci 2024; 340:122440. [PMID: 38278350 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
The connection between maternal microbiota and infant health has been greatly garnered interest for therapeutic purposes. The early resident microbiota perpetually exhibits much more flexibility as compared to that of the adults, and therefore, constant need of understanding the infant as well as maternal microbiota and their implications however has increased. In this review, we focus mainly on the diversity of overall maternal microbiota including the gut, vaginal, colostrum microbiota and how inflammatory markers fluctuate throughout the normal pregnancy as well in pregnancy with complications. The maternal body undergoes a cascade of physiological changes including hormonal, immunological and metabolic events to support the fetal development. These changes at the time of pregnancy have been correlated with alteration in the composition and diversity of maternal microbiota. Along with alteration in microbiome, the levels of circulatory cytokines fluctuate by complex network of inflammation, in order to prevent the fetal allograft throughout the pregnancy. The dynamic relationship of gut microbiota with the host and its immune system allows one to have greater insights of their role in pregnancy and newborn's health. Emerging evidence suggests that the vertical transmission of bacterial community from mother to newborn may begin in-utero which contributes in developing the immune system and infant gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeel Bhatia
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India
| | - Sunny Kumar
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India
| | - Sriram Seshadri
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India.
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Rajasekera TA, Galley JD, Mackos AR, Chen HJ, Mitchell JG, Kleinman JJ, Cappelucci P, Mashburn-Warren L, Lauber CL, Bailey MT, Worly BL, Gur TL. Stress and depression-associated shifts in gut microbiota: A pilot study of human pregnancy. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 36:100730. [PMID: 38323225 PMCID: PMC10844036 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Psychosocial stress and mood-related disorders, such as depression, are prevalent and vulnerability to these conditions is heightened during pregnancy. Psychosocial stress induces consequences via several mechanisms including the gut microbiota-brain axis and associated signaling pathways. Previous preclinical work indicates that prenatal stress alters maternal gut microbial composition and impairs offspring development. Importantly, although the fecal and vaginal microenvironments undergo alterations across pregnancy, we lack consensus regarding which shifts are adaptive or maladaptive in the presence of prenatal stress and depression. Clinical studies interrogating these relationships have identified unique taxa but have been limited in study design. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of pregnant individuals consisting of repeated administration of psychometrics (Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)) and collection of fecal and vaginal microbiome samples. Fecal and vaginal microbial community composition across psychometric responses were interrogated using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing followed by α and β-diversity metrics and taxonomic abundance. Results Early pregnancy stress was associated with increased abundance of fecal taxa not previously identified in related studies, and stress from late pregnancy through postpartum was associated with increased abundance of typical vaginal taxa and opportunistic pathogens in the fecal microenvironment. Additionally, in late pregnancy, maternal stress and depression scores were associated with each other and with elevated maternal C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) concentrations. At delivery, concordant with previous literature, umbilical CCL2 concentration was negatively correlated with relative abundance of maternal fecal Lactobacilli. Lastly, participants with more severe depressive symptoms experienced steeper decreases in prenatal vaginal α-diversity. Conclusion These findings a) underscore previous preclinical and clinical research demonstrating the effects of prenatal stress on maternal microbiome composition, b) suggest distinct biological pathways for the consequences of stress versus depression and c) extend the literature by identifying several taxa which may serve critical roles in mediating this relationship. Thus, further interrogation of the role of specific maternal microbial taxa in relation to psychosocial stress and its sequelae is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Therese A. Rajasekera
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Galley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Amy R. Mackos
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Helen J. Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Paige Cappelucci
- College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Christian L. Lauber
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Michael T. Bailey
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Brett L. Worly
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tamar L. Gur
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Prodan-Barbulescu C, Bratosin F, Folescu R, Boeriu E, Popa ZL, Citu C, Ratiu A, Rosca O, Ilie AC. Analysis of Vaginal Microbiota Variations in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Their Correlation with Preterm Birth: A Case-Control Study. Microorganisms 2024; 12:417. [PMID: 38399821 PMCID: PMC10892439 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This study conducted a detailed analysis of the vaginal microbiota in pregnant women to explore its correlation with preterm birth (PTB) outcomes. The primary objective was to identify microbial variations associated with increased PTB risk. Secondary objectives included investigating how changes in microbial composition relate to the local immune environment and PTB. Utilizing a retrospective case-control design, the study involved pregnant women with liveborn infants between 2019 and 2023. In total, 89 women who delivered preterm and 106 term deliveries were included. Data collection focused on third-trimester vaginal cultures. Statistically significant differences were observed between the preterm and full-term groups in several areas. The median white blood cell count (10.2 × 103/mm3 vs. 7.6 × 103/mm3, p = 0.009) and neutrophil count (7.2 × 103/mm3 vs. 5.1 × 103/mm3, p < 0.001) were higher in the preterm group. Vaginal pH was also elevated in preterm births (5.6 vs. 4.4, p < 0.001), with a higher prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (29.2% vs. 12.3%, p = 0.001) as indicated by the Nugent Score. The study noted a significant association of PTB with the presence of Candida spp. (OR = 1.84, p = 0.018), Gardnerella vaginalis (OR = 2.29, p = 0.003), Mycoplasma hominis (OR = 1.97, p = 0.007), and Ureaplasma urealyticum (OR = 2.43, p = 0.001). Conversely, a reduction in Lactobacillus spp. correlated with a decreased PTB risk (OR = 0.46, p = 0.001). The study provides compelling evidence that specific vaginal microbiota components, particularly certain pathogenic bacteria and an altered Lactobacillus profile, are significantly associated with PTB risk. These findings highlight the potential of targeting microbial factors in strategies aimed at reducing PTB rates. Further research is necessary to fully understand the complex interplay between microbial dynamics, host immunity, and PTB outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalin Prodan-Barbulescu
- Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- IInd Surgery Clinic, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department I, Discipline of Anatomy and Embriology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Felix Bratosin
- Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Methodological and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Roxana Folescu
- Department of Family Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Estera Boeriu
- Department of Pediatrics, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Zoran Laurentiu Popa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (Z.L.P.); (C.C.); (A.R.)
| | - Cosmin Citu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (Z.L.P.); (C.C.); (A.R.)
| | - Adrian Ratiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (Z.L.P.); (C.C.); (A.R.)
| | - Ovidiu Rosca
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Methodological and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Adrian Cosmin Ilie
- Department III Functional Sciences, Division of Public Health and Management, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
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Luqman A, He M, Hassan A, Ullah M, Zhang L, Rashid Khan M, Din AU, Ullah K, Wang W, Wang G. Mood and microbes: a comprehensive review of intestinal microbiota's impact on depression. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1295766. [PMID: 38404464 PMCID: PMC10884216 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1295766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Depression is considered a multifaceted and intricate mental disorder of growing concern due to its significant impact on global health issues. The human gut microbiota, also known as the "second brain," has an important role in the CNS by regulating it through chemical, immunological, hormonal, and neurological processes. Various studies have found a significant bidirectional link between the brain and the gut, emphasizing the onset of depression therapies. The biological and molecular processes underlying depression and microbiota are required, as the bidirectional association may represent a novel study. However, profound insights into the stratification and diversity of the gut microbiota are still uncommon. This article investigates the emerging evidence of a bacterial relationship between the gut and the brain's neurological system and its potential pathogenicity and relevance. The interplay of microbiota, immune system, nervous system neurotransmitter synthesis, and neuroplasticity transitions is also widely studied. The consequences of stress, dietary fibers, probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics on the GB axis are being studied. Multiple studies revealed the processes underlying this axis and led to the development of effective microbiota-based drugs for both prevention and treatment. Therefore, the results support the hypothesis that gut microbiota influences depression and provide a promising area of research for an improved knowledge of the etiology of the disease and future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameer Luqman
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implant, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mei He
- Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Adil Hassan
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implant, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Nano/Micro Composite Materials and Devices, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China
- JinFeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Mehtab Ullah
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implant, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | | | - Muhammad Rashid Khan
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implant, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ahmad Ud Din
- Plants for Human Health Institute, Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC, United States
| | - Kamran Ullah
- Department of Biology, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - Wei Wang
- Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implant, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- JinFeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
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Barba M, Toquet M, García-Roselló E, Gomis J, Quereda JJ, González-Torres P, Carbonetto B, Gómez-Martín Á. Description of the vaginal microbiota in nulliparous ewes during natural mating and pregnancy: preliminary signs of the male preputial microbiota modulation. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1224910. [PMID: 38274751 PMCID: PMC10808482 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1224910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The vaginal microbiota plays a key role in animals' health. Understanding its diversity and composition and associated changes occurring through the reproductive cycle represents valuable knowledge to disclose the mechanisms leading to dysbiosis and eventually to infection. Even if the human vaginal microbiota has been thoroughly studied, scarce research has been conducted on the vaginal microbiota of livestock. In this study, 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing was performed on vaginal samples of ten nulliparous ewes at three different sampling points: before the estrus synchronization protocol (T0), at the time of estrus before mating (Testrus), and the day of the pregnancy diagnosis (Tpreg). Preputial samples from the three males collected pre and post-mating were also analyzed. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the most abundant phyla in vaginal samples. The most abundant genera were Porphyromonas, Anaerococcus, and Peptinophilius. Vaginal microbiota biodiversity decreased during pregnancy. Tenericutes (Ureaplasma spp.) increased significantly at Tpreg in both pregnant and non-pregnant ewes. Differences were observed between pregnant and non-pregnant ewes at Tpreg where pregnant ewes had a significantly higher abundance of Actinobacillus spp. and Ureaplasma spp. Ewes that were diagnosed with pregnancy at Tpreg showed a decreased abundance of gram-negative bacteria such as Bacteroidales, Campylobacterales, and Enterobacteriales. In addition, a significant decrease in the relative abundances of genera within Firmicutes, such as Alloicoccus (Lactobacillales), Atopostipes (Lactobacillales), and an uncultured bacteria W5053 from Family XI (Firmicutes, Clostridiales) was observed in non-pregnant ewes at Tpreg. The four most abundant phyla in the rams' prepuce were the same as in the ewes' vagina. The most abundant genus was Corynebacterium. No major differences were observed in the ram's preputial microbiota between pre and post-mating samples. Nevertheless, the differences in the taxonomic composition of ewes' vaginal microbiota between Testrus and Tpreg could be explained by the exposure to the preputial microbiota. This study offers new insights into the effects of several key steps of the ewe's reproductive cycle such as estrus-synchronization protocol, mating, and pregnancy on ovine vaginal microbiota. The knowledge of the microbiota dynamics during the reproductive cycle can help improve the reproductive outcomes of dams by identifying biomarkers and putative probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Barba
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
- Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA), Teruel, Spain
| | - Marion Toquet
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Empar García-Roselló
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Gomis
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan J. Quereda
- Research Group Intracellular Pathogens: Biology and Infection, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pedro González-Torres
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
- Microomics Systems S.L., Barcelona, Spain
| | - Belén Carbonetto
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
- Microomics Systems S.L., Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ángel Gómez-Martín
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
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Sacinti KG, Razeghian H, Awad-Igbaria Y, Lima-Silva J, Palzur E, Vieira-Baptista P, Verstraelen H, Bornstein J. Is Vulvodynia Associated With an Altered Vaginal Microbiota?: A Systematic Review. J Low Genit Tract Dis 2024; 28:64-72. [PMID: 37963335 DOI: 10.1097/lgt.0000000000000780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vulvodynia is defined as vulvar pain of at least 3 months' duration, without clear identifiable cause, which may have potential associated factors. It can have a significant impact on women's quality of life due to a combination of physical pain, emotional distress, and limited treatment options. Despite affecting a considerable number of women worldwide, the causes and underlying mechanisms of vulvodynia remain poorly understood. Given the recognized association of the vaginal microbiota with various gynecologic disorders, there has been growing interest in exploring the potential role of the vaginal microbiota in the etiology of vulvodynia. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current literature on the association between the vaginal microbiota and vulvodynia. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic search of multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Ovid MEDLINE, was conducted to identify relevant peer-reviewed studies up to May 12, 2023. The following search terms were used across these databases: "vulvodynia," "vestibulodynia," "vulvar vestibulitis," "microbiome," "microbiota," and "flora." RESULTS A total of 8 case-control studies were included, the quality of which was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data extraction and synthesis were performed using a standardized protocol. In most studies, no major differences were found between the vaginal bacterial composition of women with vulvodynia and that of controls. No specific bacterial taxa were consistently associated with vulvodynia. The relationship between vaginal microbiota diversity and vulvodynia remains to be fully understood. CONCLUSIONS The role of vaginal microbiota in vulvodynia, if any, remains unclear. Because of the cross-sectional nature of the included studies, it is not possible to make any causal inferences. Further research, using larger and more diverse study populations and advanced sequencing techniques, is necessary to gain a better understanding of the potential relationship between the vaginal microbiota and vulvodynia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Joana Lima-Silva
- Lower Genital Tract Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Eilam Palzur
- The Research Institute of Galilee Medical Center, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, Israel
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10
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Webb EM, Holman DB, Schmidt KN, Pun B, Sedivec KK, Hurlbert JL, Bochantin KA, Ward AK, Dahlen CR, Amat S. Sequencing and culture-based characterization of the vaginal and uterine microbiota in beef cattle that became pregnant or remained open following artificial insemination. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0273223. [PMID: 37921486 PMCID: PMC10714821 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02732-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Emerging evidence suggests that microbiome-targeted approaches may provide a novel opportunity to reduce the incidence of reproductive failures in cattle. To develop such microbiome-based strategies, one of the first logical steps is to identify reproductive microbiome features related to fertility and to isolate the fertility-associated microbial species for developing a future bacterial consortium that could be administered before breeding to enhance pregnancy outcomes. Here, we characterized the vaginal and uterine microbiota in beef cattle that became pregnant or remained open via artificial insemination and identified microbiota features associated with fertility. We compared similarities between vaginal and uterine microbiota and between heifers and cows. Using culturing, we provided new insights into the culturable fraction of the vaginal and uterine microbiota and their antimicrobial resistance. Overall, our findings will serve as an important basis for future research aimed at harnessing the vaginal and uterine microbiome for improved cattle fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Webb
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Devin B. Holman
- Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kaycie N. Schmidt
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Beena Pun
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Kevin K. Sedivec
- Central Grasslands Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Streeter, North Dakota, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Hurlbert
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Kerri A. Bochantin
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Alison K. Ward
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Carl R. Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Samat Amat
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
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11
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Rittenschober-Boehm J, Fuiko R, Farr A, Willinger B, Berger A, Goeral K. Intrauterine Detection of Ureaplasma Species after Vaginal Colonization in Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcome. Neonatology 2023; 121:187-194. [PMID: 38052191 PMCID: PMC10994598 DOI: 10.1159/000534779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intrauterine infection with Ureaplasma species (U.spp.) is mostly a result of vaginal colonization with subsequent ascending infection and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. Little is known about rates and risk factors for ascending infection. Aim of the current study was to analyse the frequency of ascending U.spp. infection in vaginally colonized pregnant women delivering preterm and subsequent short- and long-term outcome of infants. METHODS Women delivering ≤32 weeks of gestation with available data on vaginal U.spp. colonization in early pregnancy as well as amniotic and placental colonization screening during caesarean section were included. Neonatal short- and long-term outcome was analysed depending on vaginal and intrauterine colonization. RESULTS Seventy-two women giving birth to 104 preterm infants were included. Intrauterine microbial invasion was found in 23/72 (31.9%) pregnancies. The most commonly detected organisms were U.spp. (52.2%), followed by E. coli (21.7%) and Enterococcus faecalis (17.4%). Intrauterine growth of U.spp. occurred exclusively after previous vaginal colonization in early pregnancy (42/72; 58.3%) and was found in 12/42 (28.6%) cases. Ascending U.spp. infection mainly occurred in pregnancies delivering <28 weeks after preterm rupture of membranes or preterm labour (9/17, 52.3%). Intrauterine detection of U.spp., but not vaginal colonization, was associated with a significantly higher rate of severe intraventricular haemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and unfavourable psychomotor outcome. CONCLUSION Ascending U.spp. infection after previous vaginal colonization occurred in almost one-third of pregnancies delivering ≤32 weeks, with particularly high rates in those <28 weeks, and was associated with adverse outcome of preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Rittenschober-Boehm
- Division of Neonatology, Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Renate Fuiko
- Division of Neonatology, Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alex Farr
- Division of Obstetrics and Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Willinger
- Division for Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Angelika Berger
- Division of Neonatology, Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Goeral
- Division of Neonatology, Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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12
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Oluoch L, Tapia K, Kiptinness C, Casmir E, Maina SG, Makena L, Selke S, Wang M, Chohan B, Sycuro L, Wald A, Ngure K, Mugo N, Roxby A. Longitudinal assessment of bacterial vaginosis prior to and during incident pregnancy: an observational study in Kenyan adolescent girls and young women. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071746. [PMID: 37813538 PMCID: PMC10565234 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-071746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine bacterial vaginosis (BV) status at multiple time points among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and assess the impact of pregnancy on their BV status. DESIGN Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING Thika, Kenya. PARTICIPANTS AGYW aged 16-20 years enrolled prior to first sex or reporting only a single lifetime partner. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was relative risk (RR) of BV during pregnancy compared with before pregnancy by analysing longitudinal trends in BV over time. BV risk was estimated using Poisson regression models. RESULTS A total of 121 AGYW became pregnant in the parent cohort and had BV results before, during or after pregnancy. Point prevalence of BV was 11.0% at visits >12 months pre-pregnancy, 13.0% at 3-12 months pre-pregnancy, 22.1% at <3 months pre-pregnancy and 13.4% during pregnancy. Compared with visits during pregnancy, RR of BV was 1.65 (95% CI: 1.00 to 2.71; p=0.05) at visits <3 months pre-pregnancy, 0.97 (95% CI: 0.62 to 1.52; p=0.90) at visits 3-12 months pre-pregnancy and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.44 to 1.53; p=0.53) at visits 12 months pre-pregnancy. An adjusted analysis including age, income, residence, date of first sex, recent sexual activity and positive sexually transmitted infection test resulted in small changes in risk estimates, with adjusted RR of BV of 1.66 (95% CI: 1.04 to 2.67; p=0.04) at visits <3 months pre-pregnancy compared with visits during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS BV risk during pregnancy was lower than during the immediate pre-pregnancy period. Hormonal changes in pregnancy may reduce BV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda Oluoch
- Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kenneth Tapia
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Edinah Casmir
- Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - L Makena
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stacy Selke
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Melody Wang
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Bhavna Chohan
- Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Laura Sycuro
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anna Wald
- Medicine, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kenneth Ngure
- Community Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nelly Mugo
- Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alison Roxby
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Global Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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13
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Alseth EO, Custodio R, Sundius SA, Kuske RA, Brown SP, Westra ER. The impact of phage and phage resistance on microbial community dynamics. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.26.559468. [PMID: 37808693 PMCID: PMC10557685 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.26.559468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Where there are bacteria, there will be bacteriophages. These viruses are known to be important players in shaping the wider microbial community in which they are embedded, with potential implications for human health. On the other hand, bacteria possess a range of distinct immune mechanisms that provide protection against bacteriophages, including the mutation or complete loss of the phage receptor, and CRISPR-Cas adaptive immunity. Yet little is known about how interactions between phages and these different phage resistance mechanisms affect the wider microbial community in which they are embedded. Here, we conducted a 10-day, fully factorial evolution experiment to examine how phage impact the structure and dynamics of an artificial four-species bacterial community that includes either Pseudomonas aeruginosa wild type or an isogenic mutant unable to evolve phage resistance through CRISPR-Cas. Our results show that the microbial community structure is drastically altered by the addition of phage, with Acinetobacter baumannii becoming the dominant species and P. aeruginosa being driven nearly extinct, whereas P. aeruginosa outcompetes the other species in the absence of phage. Moreover, we find that a P. aeruginosa strain with the ability to evolve CRISPR-based resistance generally does better when in the presence of A. baumannii, but that this benefit is largely lost over time as phage is driven extinct. Combined, our data highlight how phage-targeting a dominant species allows for the competitive release of the strongest competitor whilst also contributing to community diversity maintenance and potentially preventing the reinvasion of the target species, and underline the importance of mapping community composition before therapeutically applying phage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellinor O Alseth
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rafael Custodio
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Sarah A Sundius
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- School of Math, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Quantitative Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rachel A Kuske
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- School of Math, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sam P. Brown
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Edze R Westra
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
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14
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Saadaoui M, Singh P, Ortashi O, Al Khodor S. Role of the vaginal microbiome in miscarriage: exploring the relationship. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1232825. [PMID: 37780845 PMCID: PMC10533927 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1232825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Miscarriage is a devastating pregnancy loss that affects many women worldwide. It is characterized as a spontaneous miscarriage that occurs before 20 weeks of gestation which affects more than 25% of pregnancies. While the causes of miscarriage are complex and multifactorial, recent research has suggested a potential role of the vaginal microbiota. The vaginal microbiome is a dynamic ecosystem of microbes that are essential for preserving vaginal health and avoiding infections. Vaginal dysbiosis has been accompanied with numerous adverse pregnancy complications, such as preterm birth. However, the effect of the vaginal microbiome in miscarriage is not fully understood. This review aims to investigate the link between vaginal microbiota and miscarriage. Also, we investigate the various mechanisms through which the vaginal microbiota may affect miscarriage. Additionally, we examine the implications of these research findings, specifically the possibility of vaginal microbiome screening and targeted interventions to prevent miscarriage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Parul Singh
- Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Osman Ortashi
- Women’s Services Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
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15
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Gryaznova M, Kozarenko O, Smirnova Y, Burakova I, Syromyatnikov M, Maslov A, Lebedeva O. Cervical and Vaginal Microbiomes in Early Miscarriages and Ongoing Pregnancy with and without Dydrogesterone Usage. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13836. [PMID: 37762139 PMCID: PMC10531357 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that the reproductive tract microbiota is a key modulator of local inflammatory and immune pathways throughout pregnancy and may subsequently impact pregnancy outcomes. In this study, our objective was to analyze the cervical and vaginal microbiomes during early pregnancy among three groups: women with healthy ongoing pregnancies, women undergoing dydrogesterone treatment, and those who experienced miscarriages. The experiment involved 51 women at 8-11 weeks of gestation. The microbiome was examined using 16S rRNA sequencing on the Ion Torrent PGM platform. Across all groups, Lactobacillus iners was predominant, suggesting that the vaginal community type CST III is common among the majority of participants. Notably, our data highlighted the significant roles of Gardnerella vaginalis and Mycoplasma girerdii in the pathogenesis of early miscarriage. Conversely, L. iners and Bifidobacterium longum have a protective effect in early pregnancy. Moreover, dydrogesterone intake appeared to influence notable differences between the cervical and vaginal microbiomes. Overall, our study enhanced our understanding of the cervical and vaginal microbiome composition in the eastern European population during early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya Gryaznova
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia; (M.G.); (O.K.); (Y.S.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Olesya Kozarenko
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia; (M.G.); (O.K.); (Y.S.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (A.M.)
- Antenatal Care Department, Yakovlevo Central District Hospital, 309070 Stroitel, Russia
| | - Yuliya Smirnova
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia; (M.G.); (O.K.); (Y.S.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Inna Burakova
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia; (M.G.); (O.K.); (Y.S.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Mikhail Syromyatnikov
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia; (M.G.); (O.K.); (Y.S.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (A.M.)
- Department of Genetics, Cytology and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, 394018 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Alexander Maslov
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia; (M.G.); (O.K.); (Y.S.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (A.M.)
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Olga Lebedeva
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia; (M.G.); (O.K.); (Y.S.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (A.M.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Belgorod State National University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia
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Vargas-Robles D, Romaguera J, Alvarado-Velez I, Tosado-Rodríguez E, Dominicci-Maura A, Sanchez M, Wiggin KJ, Martinez-Ferrer M, Gilbert JA, Forney LJ, Godoy-Vitorino F. The cervical microbiota of Hispanics living in Puerto Rico is nonoptimal regardless of HPV status. mSystems 2023; 8:e0035723. [PMID: 37534938 PMCID: PMC10469956 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00357-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The cervicovaginal microbiota is influenced by host physiology, immunology, lifestyle, and ethnicity. We hypothesized that there would be differences in the cervicovaginal microbiota among pregnant, nonpregnant, and menopausal women living in Puerto Rico (PR) with and without human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer. We specifically wanted to determine if the microbiota is associated with variations in cervical cytology. A total of 294 women, including reproductive-age nonpregnant (N = 196), pregnant (N = 37), and menopausal (N = 61) women, were enrolled. The cervicovaginal bacteria were characterized by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, the HPV was genotyped with SPF10-LiPA, and cervical cytology was quantified. High-risk HPV (HR-HPV, 67.3%) was prevalent, including genotypes not covered by the 9vt HPV vaccine. Cervical lesions (34%) were also common. The cervical microbiota was dominated by Lactobacillus iners. Pregnant women in the second and third trimesters exhibited a decrease in diversity and abundance of microbes associated with bacterial vaginosis. Women in menopause had greater alpha diversity, a greater proportion of facultative and strictly anaerobic bacteria, and higher cervicovaginal pH than premenopausal women. Cervical lesions were associated with greater alpha diversity. However, no significant associations between the microbiota and HPV infection (HR or LR-HPV types) were found. The cervicovaginal microbiota of women living in Puerto Rican were either dominated by L. iners or diverse microbial communities regardless of a woman's physiological stage. We postulate that the microbiota and the high prevalence of HR-HPV increase the risk of cervical lesions among women living in PR. IMPORTANCE In the enclosed manuscript, we provide the first in-depth characterization of the cervicovaginal microbiota of Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico (PR), using a 16S rRNA approach, and include women of different physiological stages. Surprisingly we found that high-risk HPV was ubiquitous with a prevalence of 67.3%, including types not covered by the 9vt HPV vaccine. We also found highly diverse microbial communities across women groups-with a reduction in pregnant women, but dominated by nonoptimal Lactobacillus iners. Additionally, we found vaginosis-associated bacteria as Dialister spp., Gardnerella spp., Clostridium, or Prevotella among most women. We believe this is a relevant and timely article expanding knowledge on the cervicovaginal microbiome of PR women, where we postulate that these highly diverse communities are conducive to cervical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Vargas-Robles
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Josefina Romaguera
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Ian Alvarado-Velez
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Eduardo Tosado-Rodríguez
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Anelisse Dominicci-Maura
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Maria Sanchez
- University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Kara J. Wiggin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Jack A. Gilbert
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Larry J. Forney
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Filipa Godoy-Vitorino
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Doroftei B, Ilie OD, Armeanu T, Stoian IL, Anton N, Babici RG, Ilea C. A Narrative Review Discussing the Obstetric Repercussions Due to Alterations of Personalized Bacterial Sites Developed within the Vagina, Cervix, and Endometrium. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5069. [PMID: 37568471 PMCID: PMC10419759 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12155069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The reproductive tract microbiota that evolved as an integrative component has been studied intensively in the last decade. As a result, novel research, clinical opportunities, and perspectives have been derived following the close investigation of this microecological environment. This has paved the way for an update to and improvement of the management strategies and therapeutic approaches. However, obscurities, contradictions, and controversies arise regarding the ascension route from the vagina to the endometrium via the cervix, with finality in adverse obstetric outcomes. METHODS Starting from these considerations, we aimed to gather all existing data and information from four major academic databases (PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and ScienceDirect) published in the last 13 years (2010-2023) using a controlled vocabulary and dedicated terminology to enhance the coverage, identification, and sorting of potentially eligible studies. RESULTS Despite the high number of returned entries (n = 804), only a slight percentage (2.73%) of all manuscripts were deemed eligible following two rounds of evaluation. Cumulatively, a low level of Lactobacillus spp. and of other core microbiota members is mandatory, with a possible eubiosis-to-dysbiosis transition leading to an impairment of metabolic and endocrine network homeostasis. This transposes into a change in the pro-inflammatory landscape and activation of signaling pathways due to activity exerted by the bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs)/endotoxins that further reflect a high risk of miscarriage in various stages. While the presence of some pathogenic entities may be suggestive of an adverse obstetric predisposition, there are still pros and cons of the role of specific strains, as only the vagina and cervix have been targeted as opposed to the endometrium, which recently started to be viewed as the key player in the vagina-cervix-endometrium route. Consequently, based on an individual's profile, diet, and regime, antibiotics and probiotics might be practical or not. CONCLUSIONS Resident bacteria have a dual facet and are beneficial for women's health, but, at the same time, relaying on the abundance, richness, and evenness that are definitory indexes standing as intermediaries of a miscarriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Doroftei
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology “Cuza Voda”, Cuza Voda Street No. 34, 700038 Iasi, Romania
- Origyn Fertility Center, Palace Street No. 3C, 700032 Iasi, Romania
| | | | - Theodora Armeanu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology “Cuza Voda”, Cuza Voda Street No. 34, 700038 Iasi, Romania
- Origyn Fertility Center, Palace Street No. 3C, 700032 Iasi, Romania
| | - Irina-Liviana Stoian
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Nicoleta Anton
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ramona-Geanina Babici
- Department of Genetics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ciprian Ilea
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology “Cuza Voda”, Cuza Voda Street No. 34, 700038 Iasi, Romania
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Masson L, Wilson J, Amir Hamzah AS, Tachedjian G, Payne M. Advances in mass spectrometry technologies to characterize cervicovaginal microbiome functions that impact spontaneous preterm birth. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 90:e13750. [PMID: 37491925 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in young children. Infection is a major cause of this adverse outcome, particularly in PTBs characterised by spontaneous rupture of membranes, referred to as spontaneous (s)PTB. However, the aetiology of sPTB is not well defined and specific bacteria associated with sPTB differ between studies and at the individual level. This may be due to many factors including a lack of understanding of strain-level differences in bacteria that influence how they function and interact with each other and the host. Metaproteomics and metabolomics are mass spectrometry-based methods that enable the collection of detailed microbial and host functional information. Technological advances in this field have dramatically increased the resolution of these approaches, enabling the simultaneous detection of thousands of proteins or metabolites. These data can be used for taxonomic analysis of vaginal bacteria and other microbes, to understand microbiome-host interactions, and identify diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets. Although these methods have been used to assess host proteins and metabolites, few have characterized the microbial compartment in the context of pregnancy. The utilisation of metaproteomic and metabolomic-based approaches has the potential to vastly improve our understanding of the mechanisms leading to sPTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindi Masson
- Disease Elimination Program, Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, Durban, South Africa
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jenna Wilson
- Disease Elimination Program, Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Aleya Sarah Amir Hamzah
- Disease Elimination Program, Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gilda Tachedjian
- Disease Elimination Program, Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew Payne
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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19
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Costello EK, DiGiulio DB, Robaczewska A, Symul L, Wong RJ, Shaw GM, Stevenson DK, Holmes SP, Kwon DS, Relman DA. Abrupt perturbation and delayed recovery of the vaginal ecosystem following childbirth. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4141. [PMID: 37438386 PMCID: PMC10338445 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39849-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The vaginal ecosystem is closely tied to human health and reproductive outcomes, yet its dynamics in the wake of childbirth remain poorly characterized. Here, we profile the vaginal microbiota and cytokine milieu of participants sampled longitudinally throughout pregnancy and for at least one year postpartum. We show that delivery, regardless of mode, is associated with a vaginal pro-inflammatory cytokine response and the loss of Lactobacillus dominance. By contrast, neither the progression of gestation nor the approach of labor strongly altered the vaginal ecosystem. At 9.5-months postpartum-the latest timepoint at which cytokines were assessed-elevated inflammation coincided with vaginal bacterial communities that had remained perturbed (highly diverse) from the time of delivery. Time-to-event analysis indicated a one-year postpartum probability of transitioning to Lactobacillus dominance of 49.4%. As diversity and inflammation declined during the postpartum period, dominance by L. crispatus, the quintessential health-associated commensal, failed to return: its prevalence before, immediately after, and one year after delivery was 41%, 4%, and 9%, respectively. Revisiting our pre-delivery data, we found that a prior live birth was associated with a lower odds of L. crispatus dominance in pregnant participants-an outcome modestly tempered by a longer ( > 18-month) interpregnancy interval. Our results suggest that reproductive history and childbirth in particular remodel the vaginal ecosystem and that the timing and degree of recovery from delivery may help determine the subsequent health of the woman and of future pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K Costello
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Daniel B DiGiulio
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Anna Robaczewska
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Laura Symul
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Ronald J Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Gary M Shaw
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - David K Stevenson
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Susan P Holmes
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Douglas S Kwon
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - David A Relman
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.
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20
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Tuniyazi M, Zhang N. Possible Therapeutic Mechanisms and Future Perspectives of Vaginal Microbiota Transplantation. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1427. [PMID: 37374929 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial communities inhabiting the human body play a crucial role in protecting the host against pathogens and inflammation. Disruptions to the microbial composition can lead to various health issues. Microbial transfer therapy (MTT) has emerged as a potential treatment option to address such issues. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is the most widely used form of MTT and has been successful in treating several diseases. Another form of MTT is vaginal microbiota transplantation (VMT), which involves transferring vaginal microbiota from a healthy female donor to a diseased patient's vaginal cavity with the goal of restoring normal vaginal microbial composition. However, VMT has not been extensively studied due to safety concerns and a lack of research. This paper explores the therapeutic mechanisms of VMT and discusses future perspectives. Further research is necessary to advance the clinical applications and techniques of VMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maimaiti Tuniyazi
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Naisheng Zhang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
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21
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Miko E, Barakonyi A. The Role of Hydrogen-Peroxide (H 2O 2) Produced by Vaginal Microbiota in Female Reproductive Health. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12051055. [PMID: 37237921 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12051055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Female reproductive health is strongly associated with healthy vaginal microbiota, which is thought to be ensured by the dominance of certain Lactobacillus species. Lactobacilli control the vaginal microenvironment through several factors and mechanisms. One of them is their ability to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The role of Lactobacillus-derived H2O2 in the vaginal microbial community has been intensively investigated in several studies with many designs. However, results and data are controversial and challenging to interpret in vivo. Defining the underlying mechanisms responsible for a physiological vaginal ecosystem is crucial since it could directly affect probiotic treatment attempts. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the topic, focusing on probiotic treatment possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Miko
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 12 Szigeti Street, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Janos Szentagothai Research Centre, 20 Ifjusag Street, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Aliz Barakonyi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 12 Szigeti Street, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Janos Szentagothai Research Centre, 20 Ifjusag Street, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
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22
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Silvano A, Meriggi N, Renzi S, Seravalli V, Torcia MG, Cavalieri D, Di Tommaso M. Vaginal Microbiome in Pregnant Women with and without Short Cervix. Nutrients 2023; 15:2173. [PMID: 37432374 DOI: 10.3390/nu15092173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical shortening is a recognised risk factor for pre-term birth. The vaginal microbiome plays an essential role in pregnancy and in maternal and foetal outcomes. We studied the vaginal microbiome in 68 women with singleton gestation and a cervical length ≤25 mm and in 29 pregnant women with a cervix >25 mm in the second or early third trimester. Illumina protocol 16S Metagenomic Sequencing Library Preparation was used to detail amplified 16SrRNA gene. Statistical analyses were performed in R environment. Firmicutes was the phylum most represented in all pregnant women. The mean relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota was higher in women with a short cervix. Bacterial abundance was higher in women with a normal length cervix compared to the group of women with a short cervix. Nonetheless, a significant enrichment in bacterial taxa poorly represented in vaginal microbiome was observed in the group of women with a short cervix. Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas, taxa usually found in aerobic vaginitis, were more common in women with a short cervix compared with the control group, while Lactobacillus iners and Bifidobacterium were associated with a normal cervical length. Lactobacillus jensenii and Gardenerella vaginalis were associated with a short cervix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Silvano
- Department of Health Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Careggi Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Niccolò Meriggi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Sonia Renzi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Viola Seravalli
- Department of Health Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Careggi Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Torcia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Firenze, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Duccio Cavalieri
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Di Tommaso
- Department of Health Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Careggi Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy
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23
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Carter KA, Fodor AA, Balkus JE, Zhang A, Serrano MG, Buck GA, Engel SM, Wu MC, Sun S. Vaginal Microbiome Metagenome Inference Accuracy: Differential Measurement Error according to Community Composition. mSystems 2023; 8:e0100322. [PMID: 36975801 PMCID: PMC10134888 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01003-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have compared metagenome inference performance in different human body sites; however, none specifically reported on the vaginal microbiome. Findings from other body sites cannot easily be generalized to the vaginal microbiome due to unique features of vaginal microbial ecology, and investigators seeking to use metagenome inference in vaginal microbiome research are "flying blind" with respect to potential bias these methods may introduce into analyses. We compared the performance of PICRUSt2 and Tax4Fun2 using paired 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and whole-metagenome sequencing data from vaginal samples from 72 pregnant individuals enrolled in the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition (PIN) cohort. Participants were selected from those with known birth outcomes and adequate 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing data in a case-control design. Cases experienced early preterm birth (<32 weeks of gestation), and controls experienced term birth (37 to 41 weeks of gestation). PICRUSt2 and Tax4Fun2 performed modestly overall (median Spearman correlation coefficients between observed and predicted KEGG ortholog [KO] relative abundances of 0.20 and 0.22, respectively). Both methods performed best among Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated vaginal microbiotas (median Spearman correlation coefficients of 0.24 and 0.25, respectively) and worst among Lactobacillus iners-dominated microbiotas (median Spearman correlation coefficients of 0.06 and 0.11, respectively). The same pattern was observed when evaluating correlations between univariable hypothesis test P values generated with observed and predicted metagenome data. Differential metagenome inference performance across vaginal microbiota community types can be considered differential measurement error, which often causes differential misclassification. As such, metagenome inference will introduce hard-to-predict bias (toward or away from the null) in vaginal microbiome research. IMPORTANCE Compared to taxonomic composition, the functional potential within a bacterial community is more relevant to establishing mechanistic understandings and causal relationships between the microbiome and health outcomes. Metagenome inference attempts to bridge the gap between 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and whole-metagenome sequencing by predicting a microbiome's gene content based on its taxonomic composition and annotated genome sequences of its members. Metagenome inference methods have been evaluated primarily among gut samples, where they appear to perform fairly well. Here, we show that metagenome inference performance is markedly worse for the vaginal microbiome and that performance varies across common vaginal microbiome community types. Because these community types are associated with sexual and reproductive outcomes, differential metagenome inference performance will bias vaginal microbiome studies, obscuring relationships of interest. Results from such studies should be interpreted with substantial caution and the understanding that they may over- or underestimate associations with metagenome content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla A. Carter
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Anthony A. Fodor
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Balkus
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Angela Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Myrna G. Serrano
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Gregory A. Buck
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Stephanie M. Engel
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael C. Wu
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shan Sun
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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24
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Dos Santos SJ, Pakzad Z, Albert AYK, Elwood CN, Grabowska K, Links MG, Hutcheon JA, Maan EJ, Manges AR, Dumonceaux TJ, Hodgson ZG, Lyons J, Mitchell-Foster SM, Gantt S, Joseph K, Van Schalkwyk JE, Hill JE, Money DM. Maternal vaginal microbiome composition does not affect development of the infant gut microbiome in early life. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1144254. [PMID: 37065202 PMCID: PMC10097898 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1144254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Birth mode has been implicated as a major factor influencing neonatal gut microbiome development, and it has been assumed that lack of exposure to the maternal vaginal microbiome is responsible for gut dysbiosis among caesarean-delivered infants. Consequently, practices to correct dysbiotic gut microbiomes, such as vaginal seeding, have arisen while the effect of the maternal vaginal microbiome on that of the infant gut remains unknown. We conducted a longitudinal, prospective cohort study of 621 Canadian pregnant women and their newborn infants and collected pre-delivery maternal vaginal swabs and infant stool samples at 10-days and 3-months of life. Using cpn60-based amplicon sequencing, we defined vaginal and stool microbiome profiles and evaluated the effect of maternal vaginal microbiome composition and various clinical variables on the development of the infant stool microbiome. Infant stool microbiomes showed significant differences in composition by delivery mode at 10-days postpartum; however, this effect could not be explained by maternal vaginal microbiome composition and was vastly reduced by 3 months. Vaginal microbiome clusters were distributed across infant stool clusters in proportion to their frequency in the overall maternal population, indicating independence of the two communities. Intrapartum antibiotic administration was identified as a confounder of infant stool microbiome differences and was associated with lower abundances of Escherichia coli, Bacteroides vulgatus, Bifidobacterium longum and Parabacteroides distasonis. Our findings demonstrate that maternal vaginal microbiome composition at delivery does not affect infant stool microbiome composition and development, suggesting that practices to amend infant stool microbiome composition focus factors other than maternal vaginal microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott J. Dos Santos
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Zahra Pakzad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, B.C. Women's Hopsital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Chelsea N. Elwood
- Women’s Health Research Institute, B.C. Women's Hopsital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kirsten Grabowska
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Matthew G. Links
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Jennifer A. Hutcheon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Evelyn J. Maan
- Women’s Health Research Institute, B.C. Women's Hopsital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amee R. Manges
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Zoë G. Hodgson
- Midwifery Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Janet Lyons
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sheona M. Mitchell-Foster
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Soren Gantt
- Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - K.S. Joseph
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Julie E. Van Schalkwyk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Janet E. Hill
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- *Correspondence: Deborah M. Money, ; Janet E. Hill,
| | - Deborah M. Money
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, B.C. Women's Hopsital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Deborah M. Money, ; Janet E. Hill,
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25
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Kapoor B, Gulati M, Gupta R, Singla RK. Microbiota dysbiosis and myasthenia gravis: Do all roads lead to Rome? Autoimmun Rev 2023; 22:103313. [PMID: 36918089 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulated immune system with a failure to recognize self from non-self-antigens is one of the common pathogeneses seen in autoimmune diseases. The complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors is important for the occurrence and development of the disease. Among the environmental factors, disturbed gut microbiota (gut dysbiosis) has recently attracted particular attention, especially with advancement in human microbiome research. Although the alterations in microbiota have been seen in various autoimmune diseases, including those of nervous system, there is paucity of information on neuromuscular system diseases. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is one such rare autoimmune disease of neuromuscular junction, and is caused by generation of pathogenic autoantibodies to components of the postsynaptic muscle endplate. In the recent years, accumulating evidences have endorsed the key role of host microbiota, particularly those of gut, in the pathogenesis of MG. Differential microbiota composition, characterized by increased abundance of Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria, and decreased abundance of Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, has been seen in MG patients in comparison to healthy subjects. Disturbance of microbiota composition, particularly reduced ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, alter the gut permeability, subsequently triggering the immunological response. Resultant reduction in levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) is another factor contributing to the immunological response in MG patients. Modulation of gut microbiota via intervention of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics (metabiotics), and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is considered to be the futuristic approach for the management of MG. This review summarizes the role of gut microbiota and their metabolites (postbiotics) in the progression of MG. Also, various bacteriotherapeutic approaches involving gut microbiota are discussed for the prevention of MG progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhupinder Kapoor
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India.
| | - Monica Gulati
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India; Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Reena Gupta
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Rajeev K Singla
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Xinchuan Road, 2222, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; iGlobal Research and Publishing Foundation, New Delhi, India
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26
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Das S, Bhattacharjee MJ, Mukherjee AK, Khan MR. Recent advances in understanding of multifaceted changes in the vaginal microenvironment: implications in vaginal health and therapeutics. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023; 49:256-282. [PMID: 35312419 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2049696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The vagina endures multifaceted changes from neonatal to menopausal phases due to hormonal flux, metabolite deposition, and microbial colonization. These features have important implications in women's health. Several pre-factors show dynamic characteristics according to the phases that shift the vaginal microbiota from anaerobes to aerobes which is a hallmark of healthy vaginal environment. These factors include oestrogen levels, glycogen deposition, and vaginal microstructure. In the adult phase, Lactobacillus is highly dominant and regulates pH, adherence, aggregation, immune modulation, synthesis of bacteriocins, and biosurfactants (BSs) which are antagonistic to pathogens. Maternal factors are protective by favouring the colonization of lactobacilli in the vagina in the neonatal phase, which diminishes with age. The dominance of lactobacilli and dysbiosis in the adult phase depends on intrinsic and extrinsic factors in women, which vary between ethnicities. Recent developments in probiotics used against vaginal microbiome dysbiosis have shown great promise in restoring the normal microbiota including preventing the loss of beneficial bacteria. However, further in-depth studies are warranted to ensure long-term protection by probiotics. This review highlights various aspects of the vaginal microenvironment in different phases of growth and diverse ethnicities. Furthermore, it discusses future trends for formulating more effective population-specific probiotics and implications of paraprobiotics and postbiotics as effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmita Das
- Division of Life Science, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, India
| | | | - Ashis K Mukherjee
- Division of Life Science, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, India.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, India
| | - Mojibur Rohman Khan
- Division of Life Science, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, India
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27
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Smythe P, Wilkinson HN. The Skin Microbiome: Current Landscape and Future Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043950. [PMID: 36835363 PMCID: PMC9963692 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Our skin is the largest organ of the body, serving as an important barrier against the harsh extrinsic environment. Alongside preventing desiccation, chemical damage and hypothermia, this barrier protects the body from invading pathogens through a sophisticated innate immune response and co-adapted consortium of commensal microorganisms, collectively termed the microbiota. These microorganisms inhabit distinct biogeographical regions dictated by skin physiology. Thus, it follows that perturbations to normal skin homeostasis, as occurs with ageing, diabetes and skin disease, can cause microbial dysbiosis and increase infection risk. In this review, we discuss emerging concepts in skin microbiome research, highlighting pertinent links between skin ageing, the microbiome and cutaneous repair. Moreover, we address gaps in current knowledge and highlight key areas requiring further exploration. Future advances in this field could revolutionise the way we treat microbial dysbiosis associated with skin ageing and other pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paisleigh Smythe
- Centre for Biomedicine, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
- Skin Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Holly N. Wilkinson
- Centre for Biomedicine, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
- Skin Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
- Correspondence:
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28
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Blomberg L, Backman K, Kirjavainen PV, Karvonen AM, Harju M, Keski-Nisula L. Vulvovaginal yeast infections, gestational diabetes and pregnancy outcome. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:70. [PMID: 36703111 PMCID: PMC9878740 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05391-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The primary aim was to evaluate the association between gestational diabetes and blood glucose levels and vulvovaginal yeast infections in pregnancy. Secondly, we clarified the possible associations between maternal and prenatal factors, and birth outcomes and yeast infections. METHODS Three thousand nine hundred sixty-five pregnant women of the Kuopio Birth Cohort Study (KuBiCo) reported vulvovaginal yeast infections during pregnancy, via electronic questionnaires. Maternal and prenatal data, as well as clinical obstetric and early neonatal outcomes were registered during and after birth. The oral glucose tolerance test was performed on 3,079 women during pregnancy. Logistic regression analysis evaluated the possible multivariable associations between yeast infections, gestational diabetes and other prenatal and maternal factors. RESULTS No association was detected between gestational diabetes or blood glucose levels and vulvovaginal yeast infections during pregnancy. In multivariable analysis, women with yeast infections were more often multiparous, with higher education and had used more often antibiotics during pregnancy compared to others. No significant associations were detected in multivariable analysis between infections, the mode of delivery, preterm birth, birth weight or Apgar scores. CONCLUSIONS Women with reported vulvovaginal yeast infections managed generally well during pregnancy. They had no more gestational diabetes or higher blood glucose levels and their newborns managed equally well during early neonatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leeni Blomberg
- grid.9668.10000 0001 0726 2490Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Katri Backman
- grid.410705.70000 0004 0628 207XDepartment of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pirkka V. Kirjavainen
- grid.14758.3f0000 0001 1013 0499Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland ,grid.9668.10000 0001 0726 2490Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anne M. Karvonen
- grid.14758.3f0000 0001 1013 0499Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Maijakaisa Harju
- grid.416155.20000 0004 0628 2117Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, South Karelia Central Hospital, 53130 Lappeenranta, Finland
| | - Leea Keski-Nisula
- grid.9668.10000 0001 0726 2490Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland ,grid.410705.70000 0004 0628 207XDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, PL 100, 70029 Kuopio, Finland
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Compositional Changes in the Vaginal Bacterial Microbiome of Healthy Pregnant Women across the Three Gestational Trimesters in Ismailia, Egypt. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11010139. [PMID: 36677431 PMCID: PMC9862816 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The composition of the vaginal microbiome may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Normal pregnancy is associated with changes in the vaginal bacterial community composition, which tend to be more enriched with one or two Lactobacillus species promoting a healthy vagina and favorable birth outcomes. The aim of the current study was to determine compositional changes in the healthy vaginal microbiome composition during the three trimesters of pregnancy in Ismailia, Egypt using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA. The phylum Firmicutes and the genus Lactobacillus dominated across the three trimesters of pregnancy. L. iners was the most abundant species. However, L. coleohominis and L. reuteri represented the least dominant vaginal lactobacilli. Core microbiome analyses showed the Lactobacillus genus and L. iners species to have the highest prevalence in all the samples of our study groups. The phylum Firmicutes was found to be negatively correlated with almost all other vaginal phyla during pregnancy. Likewise, a negative correlation between Lactobacillus and almost all other genera was detected, including significant negative correlations with Dialister and Prevotella. Furthermore, negative correlations of L. iners were detected with almost all other species, including a significant negative correlation with L. helveticus, G. vaginalis, S. anginosus, and S. agalactiae.
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Reinoso-Peláez EL, Saura M, González-Recio Ó, González C, Fernández A, Peiro-Pastor R, López-García A, Saborío-Montero A, Calvo JH, Ramón M, Serrano M. Impact of oestrus synchronization devices on ewes vaginal microbiota and artificial insemination outcome. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1063807. [PMID: 37032869 PMCID: PMC10076614 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1063807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The low pregnancy rate by artificial insemination in sheep represents a fundamental challenge for breeding programs. In this species, oestrus synchronization is carried out by manipulating hormonal regimens through the insertion of progestogen intravaginal devices. This reproductive strategy may alter the vaginal microbiota affecting the artificial insemination outcome. Methods In this study, we analyzed the vaginal microbiome of 94 vaginal swabs collected from 47 ewes with alternative treatments applied to the progesterone-releasing intravaginal devices (probiotic, maltodextrin, antibiotic and control), in two sample periods (before placing and after removing the devices). To our knowledge, this is the first study using nanopore-based metagenome sequencing for vaginal microbiome characterization in livestock. Results Our results revealed a significant lower abundance of the genera Oenococcus (Firmicutes) and Neisseria (Proteobacteria) in pregnant compared to non-pregnant ewes. We also detected a significant lower abundance of Campylobacter in the group of samples treated with the probiotic. Discussion Although the use of probiotics represents a promising practice to improve insemination results, the election of the suitable species and concentration requires further investigation. In addition, the use of progestogen in the synchronization devices seemed to increase the alpha-diversity and decrease the abundance of harmful microorganisms belonging to Gammaproteobacteria and Fusobacteriia classes, suggesting a beneficial effect of their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar L. Reinoso-Peláez
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Producción Agraria, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Edgar L. Reinoso-Peláez,
| | - María Saura
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- María Saura,
| | - Óscar González-Recio
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen González
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Fernández
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramón Peiro-Pastor
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Adrián López-García
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Saborío-Montero
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge H. Calvo
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA-ARAID-IA2), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Manuel Ramón
- Departamento de Investigación en Reproducción y Mejora Genética Animal, Centro Regional de Selección y Reproducción Animal de Castilla La Mancha (CERSYRA-IRIAF), Valdepeñas, Spain
| | - Malena Serrano
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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Gryaznova M, Lebedeva O, Kozarenko O, Smirnova Y, Burakova I, Syromyatnikov M, Maslov A, Popov V. Lower Genital Tract Microbiome in Early Pregnancy in the Eastern European Population. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122368. [PMID: 36557621 PMCID: PMC9785265 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is known that the features of the cervicovaginal microbiome can depend on ethnicity, which might be caused by genetic factors, as well as differences in diet and lifestyle. There is no research on the cervicovaginal microbiome of Eastern European women during early pregnancy. METHODS We evaluated the cervical and cervicovaginal microbiome of women with first-trimester pregnancy (n = 22), further delivered at term, using the 16S rRNA sequencing method. RESULTS The predominant bacterial species in both groups was Lactobacillus iners, followed by Prevotella copri, Ileibacterium valens, Gardnerella vaginalis and Muribaculum intestinale in the cervical samples, and Gardnerella vaginalis, Prevotella copri, Bifidobacterium longum, Ileibacterium valens and Muribaculum intestinale in the cervicovaginal samples. The cervical microbiome had higher alpha diversity; a higher abundance of Muribaculum intestinale, Aquabacterium parvum and Methyloversatilis universalis; and a lower abundance of Psychrobacillus psychrodurans. CONCLUSIONS The Lactobacillus iners-dominated microbiome (CST III) was the predominant type of cervical and cervicovaginal microbiome in early pregnancy in the majority of the women. The presence of soil and animal bacteria in the cervicovaginal microbiome can be explained by the rural origin of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya Gryaznova
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
- Department of Genetics, Cytology and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, 394018 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Olga Lebedeva
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Belgorod State National University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-951-158-97-99
| | - Olesya Kozarenko
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
- Antenatal Care Department, Yakovlevo Central District Hospital, 309070 Stroitel, Russia
| | - Yuliya Smirnova
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
- Department of Genetics, Cytology and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, 394018 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Inna Burakova
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Mikhail Syromyatnikov
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
- Department of Genetics, Cytology and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, 394018 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Alexander Maslov
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Vasily Popov
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
- Department of Genetics, Cytology and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, 394018 Voronezh, Russia
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Tevaearai F, Sachs MK, El-Hadad S, Vonzun L, Moehrlen U, Mazzone L, Meuli M, Krähenmann F, Ochsenbein-Kölble N. Stage 2: The Vaginal Flora in Women Undergoing Fetal Spina Bifida Repair and Its Potential Association with Preterm Rupture of Membranes and Preterm Birth. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11237038. [PMID: 36498612 PMCID: PMC9735677 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11237038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vaginal dysbiosis affects pregnancy outcomes, however, the relevance of abnormal findings on pre/post-surgical vaginal culture in women undergoing fetal spina bifida (fSB) repair is unknown. OBJECTIVES To describe the incidence of normal and abnormal pre- and post-surgical vaginal microorganisms in fSB patients and to investigate potential associations between the type of vaginal flora and the occurrence of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) and preterm birth (PTB). METHODS 99 women undergoing fSB repair were eligible (2010-2019). Pre-surgical vaginal culture was routinely taken before surgery. Post-surgical cultures were taken on indication. Vaginal flora was categorized into four categories: healthy vaginal flora (HVF), bacterial vaginosis (BV), desquamative inflammatory vaginitis (DIV), and yeast infection. RESULTS The incidence of HVF, BV, DIV, or yeast infections was not statistically different between the pre- and postoperative patients. Furthermore, an abnormal pre/post-surgical vaginal flora was not associated with PPROM (OR 1.57 (0.74-3.32), p = 0.213)/OR 1.26 (0.62-2.55), p = 0.515), or with PTB (OR 1.19 (0.82-1.73), p = 0.315)/(OR 0.86 (0.60-1.24), p = 0.425). CONCLUSIONS Abnormal vaginal microbiome was not associated with PPROM and PTB when appropriate treatment was performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Tevaearai
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (F.T.); (N.O.-K.); Tel.: +41-79-595-4295 (F.T.); +41-43-253-9712 (N.O.-K.)
| | - Maike Katja Sachs
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Samia El-Hadad
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ladina Vonzun
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ueli Moehrlen
- Department of Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Luca Mazzone
- Department of Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Meuli
- Department of Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Krähenmann
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Ochsenbein-Kölble
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (F.T.); (N.O.-K.); Tel.: +41-79-595-4295 (F.T.); +41-43-253-9712 (N.O.-K.)
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Zeng S, Wang S, Ross RP, Stanton C. The road not taken: host genetics in shaping intergenerational microbiomes. Trends Genet 2022; 38:1180-1192. [PMID: 35773025 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The early-life gut microbiome is linked to human phenotypes as an imbalanced microbiome of this period is implicated in diseases throughout life. Several determinants of early-life gut microbiome are explored, however, mechanisms of acquisition, colonization, and stability of early-life gut microbiome and their interindividual variability remain elusive. Host genetics play a vital role to shape the gut microbiome and interact with it to modulate individual phenotypes in human studies and animal models. Given the microbial linkage between host generations, we discuss the current state of roles of host genetics in forming intergenerational microbiomes associated with mothers, offspring, and those vertically transmitted, providing a basis for taking into account host genetics in future early-life microbiome research. We further expand our discussion to the bidirectional interactions between host gene expression and microbiome in human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqin Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, T12 YT20, Ireland; Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
| | - Shaopu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, T12 YT20, Ireland; Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland.
| | - R Paul Ross
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, T12 YT20, Ireland
| | - Catherine Stanton
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, T12 YT20, Ireland; Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
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Hotkani ZG, Ghaedmohammadi S, Mozdoori N. Meta-analysis of race and age influence on the vaginal microbiome in pregnant and nonpregnant healthy women. Future Microbiol 2022; 17:1147-1159. [PMID: 35950983 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2021-0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The presence of microbial species in reproductive tubes plays an essential protective role against the proliferation of harmful organisms and is an important factor in reproductive health. High-throughput culture-independent technologies allow the study of the vaginal microbiome on a large scale. This study aimed to compare the vaginal microbiota between pregnant and nonpregnant women of different ages and races using the meta-analysis method. Materials & methods: Seven articles with 16S rRNA gene sequences were studied and analyzed using CLC Genomics Workbench 20.1.1. Results & conclusion: This study revealed new insights into the effects of age and ethnicity on the pregnant and nonpregnant vaginal microbiome and found that the microbiome of Chinese women is more distinct than that of other ethnicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra G Hotkani
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Samira Ghaedmohammadi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Estahban Higher Education Center, Estahban, Iran
| | - Najmeh Mozdoori
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Estahban Higher Education Center, Estahban, Iran
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Hill JE, Peña-Sánchez JN, Fernando C, Freitas AC, Withana Gamage N, Fowler S. Composition and Stability of the Vaginal Microbiota of Pregnant Women With Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2022; 28:905-911. [PMID: 34919692 PMCID: PMC9165555 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izab314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is common in women of childbearing years, and active IBD during pregnancy is associated with increased rates of preterm delivery and low-birth-weight newborns. Changes in the vaginal microbiome have been associated with preterm delivery. We aimed to determine the taxonomic composition of the vaginal microbiota at 3 time points during pregnancy in a population of women with IBD. METHODS Participants were recruited from the patient registry of the Preconception and Pregnancy IBD Clinic at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Canada. Self-collected vaginal swabs were obtained from patients at each trimester. Microbiota profiles were created by cpn60 amplicon sequencing. RESULTS We characterized the vaginal microbiota of 32 pregnant participants with IBD (33 pregnancies) during each trimester. A total of 32 of 33 pregnancies resulted in a live birth with 43.8% (n = 14 of 32, 2 missing) by caesarean section; 2 of 32 were preterm. Microbiota compositions corresponded to previously described community state types, with most participants having microbiota dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus. In 25 of 29 participants in which samples were available for more than 1 time point, there was no change in the community state type over time. Prevalence of Mollicutes (Mycoplasma and/or Ureaplasma) was significantly higher in pregnant participants with IBD than in a previously profiled cohort of 172 pregnant women without IBD who delivered at term. CONCLUSIONS The vaginal microbiome of participants with IBD was stable throughout pregnancy. Prevalence of Mollicutes, which has been associated with preterm delivery, warrants further study in this patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet E Hill
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Juan-Nicolás Peña-Sánchez
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Champika Fernando
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Aline C Freitas
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Niradha Withana Gamage
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Sharyle Fowler
- Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Peuranpää P, Holster T, Saqib S, Kalliala I, Tiitinen A, Salonen A, Hautamäki H. Female reproductive tract microbiota and recurrent pregnancy loss: a nested case-control study. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 45:1021-1031. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Huang Y, Li D, Cai W, Zhu H, Shane MI, Liao C, Pan S. Distribution of Vaginal and Gut Microbiome in Advanced Maternal Age. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:819802. [PMID: 35694547 PMCID: PMC9186158 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.819802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The distribution of the microbiome in women with advanced maternal age (AMA) is poorly understood. To gain insight into this, the vaginal and gut microbiota of 62 women were sampled and sequenced using the 16S rRNA technique. These women were divided into three groups, namely, the AMA (age ≥ 35 years, n = 13) group, the non-advanced maternal age (NMA) (age < 35 years, n = 38) group, and the control group (non-pregnant healthy women, age >35 years, n = 11). We found that the alpha diversity of vaginal microbiota in the AMA group significantly increased. However, the beta diversity significantly decreased in the AMA group compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in the diversity of gut microbiota among the three groups. The distributions of microbiota were significantly different among AMA, NMA, and control groups. In vaginal microbiota, the abundance of Lactobacillus was higher in the pregnant groups. Bifidobacterium was significantly enriched in the AMA group. In gut microbiota, Prevotella bivia was significantly enriched in the AMA group. Vaginal and gut microbiota in women with AMA were noticeably different from the NMA and non-pregnant women, and this phenomenon is probably related to the increased risk of complications in women with AMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Huang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dianjie Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Cai
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Honglei Zhu
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mc Intyre Shane
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Can Liao
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Prenatal Diagnostic Center, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Can Liao, ; Shilei Pan,
| | - Shilei Pan
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Can Liao, ; Shilei Pan,
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A randomized controlled trial of the effects of whole grains versus refined grains diets on the microbiome in pregnancy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7509. [PMID: 35525865 PMCID: PMC9079079 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11571-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietary whole grain consumption has been postulated to have metabolic benefits. The purpose of this study was to compare a pregnancy diet containing 75% of total carbohydrates as refined grains with a diet of 75% of total carbohydrates as whole grains for pregnancy outcomes and effects on the microbiome. Gestational weight gain, glucose tolerance and newborn outcomes were measured on 248 enrolled compliant women from whom a subset of 103 women consented to give 108 vaginal and 109 anal swabs. The data presented here are limited to the patients from whom the vaginal and anal swabs were obtained in order to study the microbiome. A microbiome—16SrRNA survey—was characterized in these samples. Samples and measurements were obtained at the first obstetrical visit, before beginning a prescribed diet (T1—baseline) and after 17–32 weeks on the prescribed diet (T3). Food frequency questionnaires and total plasma alkylresorcinols were used as a measure of whole grain consumption. There were no dietary differences in maternal weight gain, birth weight, or glucose tolerance test. Mothers consuming the whole grains diet showed a trend of gestational decrease in vaginal bacterial alpha diversity, with increasing Lactobacillus-dominance. No significant difference was observed for the anal microbiome. The results suggest that diet modulations of the vaginal microbiome during gestation may have important implications for maternal and neonatal health and in the intergenerational transfer of maternal microbiome. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03232762.
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Houttu N, Mokkala K, Saleem WT, Virtanen S, Juhila J, Koivuniemi E, Pellonperä O, Tertti K, Luokola P, Sorsa T, Salonen A, Lahti L, Laitinen K. Potential pathobionts in vaginal microbiota are affected by fish oil and/or probiotics intervention in overweight and obese pregnant women. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 149:112841. [PMID: 35344737 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
New means to stabilize the microbial balance during pregnancy could benefit maternal health. Our objectives were to investigate in overweight/obese pregnant women 1) the impact of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish oil) and/or probiotics on the vaginal microbiota, 2) its relation to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 3) its interaction with vaginal active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (phIGFBP-1), IGFBP-1 and aMMP-8. The women were allocated to fish oil + placebo, probiotics + placebo, fish oil + probiotics and placebo + placebo-groups, from early pregnancy onwards (fish oil: 1.9 g docosahexaenoic acid and 0.22 g eicosapentaenoic acid; probiotics: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 (formerly Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420, 1010 colony-forming units each). Vaginal and serum samples (early pregnancy, n = 112; late pregnancy, n = 116), were analyzed for vaginal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and vaginal aMMP-8 and serum hsCRP, aMMP-8, phIGFBP-1 and IGFBP-1 by immunoassays. GDM was diagnosed from a 2-h 75 g OGTT. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01922791. The intervention exerted effects on many low-abundant bacteria. Compared to the placebo-group, there was a lower abundance of potential pathobionts, namely Ureaplasma urealyticum in the fish oil-group, Ureaplasma, U. urealyticum and Prevotella disiens in the probiotics-group, Dialister invisus and Prevotella timonensis in the fish oil + probiotics-group. Moreover, probiotics decreased the abundance of a few potential pathobionts during pregnancy. Many bacteria were related to GDM. The vaginal aMMP-8 level correlated significantly with α-diversity and inversely with two Lactobacillus species. Dietary interventions, especially probiotics, may have beneficial effects on the vaginal microbiota during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noora Houttu
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| | - Kati Mokkala
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Wisam Tariq Saleem
- Department of Computing, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Seppo Virtanen
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Ella Koivuniemi
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Outi Pellonperä
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Kristiina Tertti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Timo Sorsa
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Disease, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Oral Diseases, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Anne Salonen
- Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leo Lahti
- Department of Computing, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Kirsi Laitinen
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Abnormal vaginal flora correlates with pregnancy outcomes: A retrospective study from 737 pregnant women. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022; 272:64-68. [PMID: 35286920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Abnormal vaginal flora (AVF) is a common cause of vulvovaginal symptoms in women. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of AVF in pregnant women and assess associations between diverse AVF subtypes and pregnancy outcomes. METHODS This study retrospectively collected clinical data of pregnant women who had vaginal flora tests (VFT) between January 2015 and December 2018 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University. AVF were defined into different subtypes according to the results of VFT, including bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), aerobic bacteria (AV), cytolytic vaginosis (CV), and trichomoniasis. Pregnancy outcomes included gestational age at delivery, preterm birth (PTB), premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and infant birth weight. Student's t-test and Fisher's exact test was used for analyses using SPSS 22.0. P < 0.05 was considered as statistical significance. RESULTS A total of 737 pregnant women were included in this study. Pregnant women in AVF group suffered more PROM than women in normal vaginal flora (NVF) group (18.8% [33/176] vs 10.6% [32/302], P = 0.012); pregnant women with BV (31.3% [5/16] vs 10.6% [32/302], P = 0.018) and mixed vaginitis (55.6% [5/9] vs 10.6% [32/302], P = 0.001) had higher PROM rates than women in the NVF group. In addition, pregnant women in NVF and AVF groups had similar PTB rates (5.0% [15/302] vs 3.5% [32/302], P = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS AVF, including BV and Mixed vaginitis, augments PROM risk in pregnant women, demonstrating the need for vaginal flora examination during pregnancy.
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Hashem NM, Gonzalez-Bulnes A. Perspective on the relationship between reproductive tract microbiota eubiosis and dysbiosis and reproductive function. Reprod Fertil Dev 2022; 34:531-539. [PMID: 35287791 DOI: 10.1071/rd21252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The role played by microbiota is attracting growing attention within the scientific and medical community, in both human and animal fields, in the last years. Most of the studies have been focused on the intestinal microbiome, whilst little attention has been paid to other systems, like the reproductive tract of both females and males. However, there is a growing body of information showing the interplay between reproductive tract dysbiosis, due to the action of pathogens and/or unhealthy lifestyle, and reproductive disease and disorders in many mammalian species. The present review aims to summarise current knowledge on the biodiversity of the microbiota of the reproductive tract, and the possible relationships between eubiosis or dysbiosis and reproductive health and function in both females and males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesrein M Hashem
- Department of Animal and Fish Production, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria 21545, Egypt
| | - Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes
- Departamento de Produccion y Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/ Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain
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Juliana NCA, Deb S, Juma MH, Poort L, Budding AE, Mbarouk A, Ali SM, Ouburg S, Morré SA, Sazawal S, Ambrosino E. The Vaginal Microbiota Composition and Genital Infections during and after Pregnancy among Women in Pemba Island, Tanzania. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10030509. [PMID: 35336085 PMCID: PMC8951098 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the vaginal microbiota (VMB) composition, prevalence of genital pathogens and their association among pregnant and post-delivery women in Pemba Island, Tanzania. Vaginal swabs were collected from 90 women, at two time points during pregnancy (<20 weeks of gestational age [GA] and ≥20 weeks GA) and once after delivery, when possible. IS-pro assay was used for VMB characterization. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhea (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) and human papillomavirus (HPV) were detected by qPCRs. VMB were mostly Lactobacillus dominant during pregnancy and non-Lactobacillus dominant post-delivery. A significant decrease in VMB richness was observed during pregnancy among paired and unpaired samples. Shannon diversity was significantly lower during pregnancy than post-delivery among unpaired samples. Klebsiella species and Streptococcus anginosus were the most commonly identified pathobionts at all timepoints. A high abundance of pathobionts was mostly seen in women with non-Lactobacillus dominant VMB. At ≥20 weeks GA timepoint during pregnancy, 63.0% of the women carrying one or more genital pathogen (either HPV, CT, TV, or MG) had L. iners dominant VMB. NG was not detected pre-delivery. This study contributes evidence on VMB composition, its changes during pregnancy and post-delivery, and their association with pathobionts and genital pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi C. A. Juliana
- Institute for Public Health Genomics (IPHG), Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Research School GROW (School for Oncology & Reproduction), Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, University of Maastricht, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands; (N.C.A.J.); (S.A.M.)
| | - Saikat Deb
- Public Health Laboratory—Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake 74201, Pemba Island, Tanzania; (S.D.); (M.H.J.); (A.M.); (S.M.A.)
- Centre for Public Health Kinetics, New Delhi 110024, India;
| | - Mohamed H. Juma
- Public Health Laboratory—Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake 74201, Pemba Island, Tanzania; (S.D.); (M.H.J.); (A.M.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Linda Poort
- inBiome, 1098 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.P.); (A.E.B.)
| | | | - Abdalla Mbarouk
- Public Health Laboratory—Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake 74201, Pemba Island, Tanzania; (S.D.); (M.H.J.); (A.M.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Said M. Ali
- Public Health Laboratory—Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake 74201, Pemba Island, Tanzania; (S.D.); (M.H.J.); (A.M.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Sander Ouburg
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Servaas A. Morré
- Institute for Public Health Genomics (IPHG), Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Research School GROW (School for Oncology & Reproduction), Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, University of Maastricht, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands; (N.C.A.J.); (S.A.M.)
| | - Sunil Sazawal
- Centre for Public Health Kinetics, New Delhi 110024, India;
| | - Elena Ambrosino
- Institute for Public Health Genomics (IPHG), Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Research School GROW (School for Oncology & Reproduction), Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, University of Maastricht, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands; (N.C.A.J.); (S.A.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-04-3388-4081
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Patangia DV, Anthony Ryan C, Dempsey E, Paul Ross R, Stanton C. Impact of antibiotics on the human microbiome and consequences for host health. Microbiologyopen 2022; 11:e1260. [PMID: 35212478 PMCID: PMC8756738 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that the gut microbiota plays an important role in host health and is perturbed by several factors including antibiotics. Antibiotic-induced changes in microbial composition can have a negative impact on host health including reduced microbial diversity, changes in functional attributes of the microbiota, formation, and selection of antibiotic-resistant strains making hosts more susceptible to infection with pathogens such as Clostridioides difficile. Antibiotic resistance is a global crisis and the increased use of antibiotics over time warrants investigation into its effects on microbiota and health. In this review, we discuss the adverse effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiota and thus host health, and suggest alternative approaches to antibiotic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhrati V. Patangia
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, MooreparkFermoy Co.CorkIreland
- APC MicrobiomeCorkIreland
| | | | - Eugene Dempsey
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Reynolds Paul Ross
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
- APC MicrobiomeCorkIreland
| | - Catherine Stanton
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, MooreparkFermoy Co.CorkIreland
- APC MicrobiomeCorkIreland
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De Novo Assembly and Annotation of the Vaginal Metatranscriptome Associated with Bacterial Vaginosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031621. [PMID: 35163545 PMCID: PMC8835865 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The vaginal microbiome plays an important role in women’s health and disease. Here we reanalyzed 40 vaginal transcriptomes from a previous study of de novo assembly (metaT-Assembly) followed by functional annotation. We identified 286,293 contigs and further assigned them to 25 phyla, 209 genera, and 339 species. Lactobacillus iners and Lactobacillus crispatus dominated the microbiome of non-bacterial vaginosis (BV) samples, while a complex of microbiota was identified from BV-associated samples. The metaT-Assembly identified a higher number of bacterial species than the 16S rRNA amplicon and metaT-Kraken methods. However, metaT-Assembly and metaT-Kraken exhibited similar major bacterial composition at the species level. Binning of metatranscriptome data resulted in 176 bins from major known bacteria and several unidentified bacteria in the vagina. Functional analyses based on Clusters of Orthologous Genes (COGs) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways suggested that a higher number of transcripts were expressed by the microbiome complex in the BV-associated samples than in non-BV-associated samples. The KEGG pathway analysis with an individual bacterial genome identified specific functions of the identified bacterial genome. Taken together, we demonstrated that the metaT-Assembly approach is an efficient tool to understand the dynamic microbial communities and their functional roles associated with the human vagina.
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Allen NG, Edupuganti L, Edwards DJ, Jimenez NR, Buck GA, Jefferson KK, Strauss JF, Wickham EP, Fettweis JM. The vaginal microbiome in women of reproductive age with healthy weight versus overweight/obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2022; 30:142-152. [PMID: 34806323 PMCID: PMC9070090 DOI: 10.1002/oby.23306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between the vaginal microbiome of reproductive-aged women with overweight and obesity (Ow/Ob) compared with healthy weight (HW). METHODS In this case-control study, a cohort of 367 nonpregnant women (18 to 40 years) with Ow/Ob (BMI ≥25 kg/m2 ) was case-matched with 367 women with HW (BMI 18.0 to 24.9 kg/m2 ). The study was a secondary analysis of 16S rRNA vaginal microbiome surveys through the Vaginal Human Microbiome Study (VaHMP). Groups were matched on age, race/ethnicity, income, and nulliparity status. RESULTS Mean age and BMI of Ow/Ob and HW groups were 26.8 versus 26.7 years and 37.0 versus 22.1 kg/m2 , respectively. The overall vaginal microbiome composition differed between groups (PERMANOVA, p = 0.035). Women with Ow/Ob had higher alpha diversity compared with women with HW (Wilcoxon test, Shannon index p = 0.025; inverse Simpson index p = 0.026). Lactobacillus dominance (≥30% proportional abundance) was observed in a greater proportion of women with HW (48.7%) compared with Ow/Ob (40.1%; p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS The vaginal microbiome differs in reproductive-aged women with Ow/Ob compared with women with HW, with increased alpha diversity and decreased predominance of Lactobacillus. Observed differences in the vaginal microbiome may partially explain differences in preterm birth and bacterial vaginosis risk between these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie G. Allen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Penn State Health, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Laahirie Edupuganti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - David J. Edwards
- Department of Statistical Sciences & Operations Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Nicole R. Jimenez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Gregory A. Buck
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Kimberly K. Jefferson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jerome F. Strauss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Edmond P. Wickham
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Fettweis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Ahrodia T, Yodhaanjali J, Das B. Vaginal microbiome dysbiosis in preterm birth. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 192:309-329. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Shahid M, Quinlivan JA, Peek M, Castaño-Rodríguez N, Mendz GL. Is there an association between the vaginal microbiome and first trimester miscarriage? A prospective observational study. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2021; 48:119-128. [PMID: 34761471 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIM To examine whether there are differences in the vaginal microbiome of women who miscarry compared to those who have normal pregnancy outcomes. METHODS Prospective observational study conducted at the Canberra Hospital, Australia, with 24 participant women in the first trimester of pregnancy. The vaginal microbiomes of the 24 women were characterized using sequencing analysis of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene employing an Illumina MiSeq instrument with QIAGEN reagents. Vaginal microbiome data were correlated with pregnancy clinical metadata. RESULTS Ordination plots showed differences in the composition of microbiomes of women who miscarried and controls. In nulliparous women, Lactobacillus crispatus was the dominant bacterium in 50% of women. Lactobacillus iners was the dominant bacterium in 50% of women with a history of prior miscarriage and a miscarriage in the study compared to 15% (p = 0.011) in those with no history of miscarriage and no miscarriage in the study. There were significant differences in the number of operational taxonomic units and the richness of the microbiomes of women who miscarried compared to those who delivered at term. Eight taxa were found in different relative abundances in both groups of women. CONCLUSIONS The study indicated that the composition of the vaginal microbiome varies with pregnancy history. Also, there was a significant difference in the vaginal microbiomes between women who suffered miscarriage and those who continued to term delivery both in the overall microbiome populations and in the abundances of individual taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Shahid
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Julie A Quinlivan
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michael Peek
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Natalia Castaño-Rodríguez
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - George L Mendz
- School of Medicine, Sydney, University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Mhlekude B, Lenman A, Sidoyi P, Joseph J, Kruppa J, Businge CB, Mdaka ML, Konietschke F, Pich A, Gerold G, Goffinet C, Mall AS. The barrier functions of crude cervical mucus plugs against HIV-1 infection in the context of cell-free and cell-to-cell transmission. AIDS 2021; 35:2105-2117. [PMID: 34155151 PMCID: PMC8505157 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The cervical mucus plugs are enriched with proteins of known immunological functions. We aimed to characterize the anti-HIV-1 activity of the cervical mucus plugs against a panel of different HIV-1 strains in the contexts of cell-free and cell-associated virus. DESIGN A cohort of consenting HIV-1-negative and HIV-1-positive pregnant women in labour was recruited from Mthatha General Hospital in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, from whom the cervical mucus plugs were collected in 6 M guanidinium chloride with protease inhibitors and transported to our laboratories at -80 °C. METHODS Samples were centrifuged to remove insoluble material and dialysed before freeze--drying and subjecting them to the cell viability assays. The antiviral activities of the samples were studied using luminometric reporter assays and flow cytometry. Time-of-addition and BlaM-Vpr virus-cell fusion assays were used to pin-point the antiviral mechanisms of the cervical mucus plugs, before proteomic profiling using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS The proteinaceous fraction of the cervical mucus plugs exhibited anti-HIV-1 activity with inter-individual variations and some degree of specificity among different HIV-1 strains. Cell-associated HIV-1 was less susceptible to inhibition by the potent samples whenever compared with the cell-free HIV-1. The samples with high antiviral potency exhibited a distinct proteomic profile when compared with the less potent samples. CONCLUSION The crude cervical mucus plugs exhibit anti-HIV-1 activity, which is defined by a specific proteomic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baxolele Mhlekude
- University of Cape Town, Department of Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, South Africa
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Institute of Experimental Virology, Hannover
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Virology, Charité Campus Mitte
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annasara Lenman
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Institute of Experimental Virology, Hannover
| | - Phikolomzi Sidoyi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Jim Joseph
- Department of Human Biology, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Jochen Kruppa
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institut für Biometrie und Klinische Epidemiologie, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Mana Lungisa Mdaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Walter Sisulu University/Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital
| | - Frank Konietschke
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institut für Biometrie und Klinische Epidemiologie, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Pich
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Toxicology, Core Facility Proteomics, Hannover
| | - Gisa Gerold
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Institute of Experimental Virology, Hannover
- Umeå University, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology & Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christine Goffinet
- TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Institute of Experimental Virology, Hannover
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Virology, Charité Campus Mitte
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anwar Suleman Mall
- University of Cape Town, Department of Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, South Africa
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Punzón-Jiménez P, Labarta E. The impact of the female genital tract microbiome in women health and reproduction: a review. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:2519-2541. [PMID: 34110573 PMCID: PMC8581090 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02247-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this review is to gather the available research focusing on female genital tract (FGT) microbiome. Research question focuses in decipher which is the role of FGT microbiota in eubiosis, assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs), and gynaecological disorders, and how microbiome could be utilised to improve reproduction outcomes and to treat fertility issues. METHODS PubMed was searched for articles in English from January 2004 to April 2021 for "genital tract microbiota and reproduction", "endometrial microbiome", "microbiome and reproduction" and "microbiota and infertility". Manual search of the references within the resulting articles was performed. RESULTS Current knowledge confirms predominance of Lactobacillus species, both in vagina and endometrium, whereas higher variability of species is both found in fallopian tubes and ovaries. Microbial signature linked to different disorders such endometriosis, bacterial vaginosis, and gynaecological cancers are described. Broadly, low variability of species and Lactobacillus abundance within the FGT is associated with better reproductive and ART outcomes. CONCLUSION Further research regarding FGT microbiome configuration needs to be done in order to establish a more precise link between microbiota and eubiosis or dysbiosis. Detection of bacterial species related with poor reproductive outcomes, infertility or gynaecological diseases could shape new tools for their diagnosis and treatment, as well as resources to assess the pregnancy prognosis based on endometrial microbiota. Data available suggest future research protocols should be standardised, and it needs to include the interplay among microbiome, virome and mycobiome, and the effect of antibiotics or probiotics on the microbiome shifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Punzón-Jiménez
- IVI Global Education, Edificio Bipolo, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Torre A, Planta 1ª, 46026, Valencia, Spain.
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Universitat de València, Av. Blasco Ibáñez, 15, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Elena Labarta
- IVIRMA Valencia, Plaza de la Policía Local, 3, 46015, Valencia, Spain
- IVI Foundation - IIS La Fe, Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Torre A, Planta 1ª, 46026, Valencia, Spain
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Lactobacillus crispatus thrives in pregnancy hormonal milieu in a Nigerian patient cohort. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18152. [PMID: 34518588 PMCID: PMC8437942 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96339-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid hormones are one of the presumed modulators of Lactobacillus abundance in the vaginal epithelium. We set out to characterize the vaginal microbiome (VMB) and also provide an in-depth understanding of the relative contribution of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P1) in shaping the vaginal microbiome of Nigerian women (n = 38) who experienced both uncomplicated term delivery and preterm delivery using samples longitudinally collected during pregnancy (17–21, 27–31, 36–41 weeks gestation) and 6 weeks postpartum. Vaginal swabs and blood samples were aseptically collected. Vaginal swabs were used for microbiome assessment using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. Blood samples were used for hormonal measurement using a competitive-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Across several maternal covariates, maternal age, pregnancy status and delivery mode were not significantly associated with the vaginal microbiota whereas maternal E2 level (pE2 = 0.006, Omnibus), and P1 level (pP1 = 0.001, Omnibus) were significantly associated with the vaginal microbiome. E2 and P1 concentrations increased throughout pregnancy commensurately with increasing proportions of L. crispatus (pE2 = 0.036, pP1 = 0.034, Linear Mixed Model). An increasing trend of α-diversity was also observed as pregnancy progressed (pobserved ASV = 0.006, LMM). A compositional microbiome shift from Lactobacillus profile to non-Lactobacillus profile was observed in most postnatal women (pCST IV < 0.001, LMM). Analysis of our data shows a species-specific link between pregnancy steroid hormone concentration and L. crispatus abundance.
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